I am the sound of your intention

‘I am the sound of your intention’ 2021

Durational Performance (35 mins)

Location: Irish Museum of Modern Art, Courtyard  Dublin
Materials:  wildflowers, string wood, rope, goat hides and written intentions

Preparation:
This performance had private and public aspects. It took the form of preparing the elements of a traditional rope tuned drum, collecting written intentions, writing them within the drum shell and laying the elements in the centre of the IMMA Courtyard. Ahead of the performance indigenous wildflowers were collected and a ‘mummers mask’ fabricated.

Performance:
The Performance was a  ritualistic activity of methodically building the drum and tuning by hand, encapsulating the personal intentions within. The artist then donned the mask effectively anonymising themselves.  

Facing the cardinal directions within the site, the Artist began to fill the space with the voice of the drum.  Initially with sparce, apparently random thuds and clicks, the syllables gradually linked and joined into short phrases, rhythm with a disjointed flow. Each phrase calling to a writer/ (Other performer). Each report resounding  within and without the space. During the performance the mask dropped wild flower seeds.

As the performance continued members of the ‘Breaking Cover Performance Collective’ arrived to the space from their own solo performances considering the ecological emergencies and great extinction event we face. Their intentions calling aloud.

The performance concluded with the artists leading the group from the space to the site of their group performance

This performance was built and facilitated through the ‘Breaking Cover: Art & Ecology Encounters - 2021’ program by IMMA and kindly facilitated by Artist: Paola Catizone. I wish to express my gratitude to the members of The Breaking Cover Collective for their support and encouragement in the process of developing this work.